Gym Dogs' class a 'coup'

Samantha Sheehan is one of a quartet of Georgia gymnastics signees that should rank the Gym Dogs' among the top classes in the country.

Steve Lange/Special There's really no big secret as to why Georgia's gymnastics program has been one of the nation's most competitive squad during Suzanne Yoculan's previous 20 years as the Gym Dogs' head coach.

Recruiting.

Every year, it seems, Georgia is able to attract many of the country's best gymnasts. That includes the 2004 class, a quartet that includes two - Samantha Sheehan and Katie Heenan - who were medalists for the United States in the World Championships

"I don't know if there's two medalists whose ever graduated in the same year and gone to any college in the same year because so many at that level go professional," Yoculan said. "It's really a recruiting coup for (Gym Dog recruiting coordinator and assistant) Jay (Clark)."

A member of the 2002 U.S. World Championship team, Heenan, from South Riding, Va., has competed internationally since 2001. Her first international victory came on the uneven bars at the 2001 Pan American Championships, followed by a double-bronze medal at the 2001 Worlds.

"These girls make up arguably the top class in the nation," Yoculan said. "There were a lot of gymnasts available, but we feel like we got the ones who best suit our needs."

All four are expected to contribute immediately in 2005 for the Gym Dogs, who graduate Cory Fritzinger, Sierra Sapunar, Marline Stephens, Kinsey Rowe and Chelsa Byrd after this year.

"Signing a top class was definitely a priority the entire year," Yoculan said. "We knew if we didn't sign a couple of the top, top, top ones then that was going to hurt us. As it turned out, Alabama's got one, UCLA's got one, Utah's got one ... we have two."

Heenan was a member of the 2002 U.S. World Championship team and has competed internationally since 2001. Her first international victory came on the uneven bars at the 2001 Pan American Championships and she followed that with a double-bronze medal performance at the 2001 World Championships. In 2003, she earned the uneven bars title at the U.S. Championships.

Sheehan's resume is just as impressive.

The Cincinnati native and member of the prestigious Cincinnati Gymnastics Academy where she trains with former Olympic coach Mary Lee Tracy made her first U.S. National team with a 11th-place finish in the all-around in Cleveland at the 2002 U.S. Championships. She followed that with a first-place finish, including wins in the uneven bars, beam and floor, at the USA/Belgium competition in Houston.

"Sam is amazing. She's one of the most disciplined athletes I have ever seen," Yoculan said. "As a former World Champion medallist, Sam is one of the most decorated athletes to enter college gymnastics. She will be an immediate impact on every event for us."

Meanwhile, Childs and Dowlen finished 12th in the all-around a the 2002 U.S. nationals while Dowlen placed 22nd in 2000 before capturing the first-place trophy at the Elite Zone Championships in 2001.